Barrier layer for laser ablative imaging

Abstract

A process of forming a single color, dye ablation image having an improved D-min comprising imagewise-heating by means of a laser, a dye-ablative recording element comprising a transparent support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, the dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith to absorb at a given wavelength of the laser used to expose the element, the image dye being substantially transparent in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum and absorbs in the region of from about 300 to about 700 nm and does not have any substantial absorption at the wavelength of the laser used to expose the element, the laser exposure taking place through the dye side of the element, and removing the ablated image dye material to obtain the image in the dye-ablative recording element, wherein the element contains a substantially transparent, hydrophilic, organic or inorganic polymeric dye barrier layer between the support and the dye layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process of forming a single color, dye ablation image having an improved D-min comprising imagewise heating by means of a laser, a dye-ablative recording element comprising a transparent support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, said dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith to absorb at a given wavelength of said laser used to expose said element, said image dye being substantially transparent in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum and absorbs in the region of from about 300 to about 700 nm and does not have any substantial absorption at the wavelength of said laser used to expose said element, said laser exposure taking place through the dye side of said element, and removing the ablated image dye material to obtain said image in said dye-ablative recording element, wherein said element contains a substantially transparent, hydrophilic, organic or inorganic polymeric dye barrier layer between said support and said dye layer. 
     
     
       2. The process of claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic dye barrier layer comprises poly(vinyl alcohol). 
     
     
       3. The process of claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic dye barrier layer comprises gelatin. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic dye barrier layer comprises an acrylamide polymer. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic dye barrier layer comprises a titanium alkoxide. 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic dye barrier layer is present at a concentration of from about 0.01 to about 1.0 g/m 2 . 
     
     
       7. The process of claim 1 wherein said infrared-absorbing material is contained in said dye layer. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 1 wherein said infrared-absorbing material is a dye.